Calling young poets to join the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering by writing and submitting an original poem.
Divisions:
- Level 1: Grades K-2
- Level 2: Grades 3-4
- Level 3: Grades 5-6
- Level 4: Grades 7-8
- Level 5: Grades 9-12
Each poet will receive a personalized certificate of participation via e-mail. The top three places in each division will receive a special plaque award and the opportunity to share their poem during the 2026 Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Alpine, Texas, held at Sul Ross State University. Timing of that opportunity will be posted soon.
Guidelines:
- Topics must be related to ranch life (cowboys, cowgirls, livestock, rodeo, ranch pets, environment, etc.).
- Poems must be a minimum of eight lines (four at Level 1) and a maximum of two pages.
- Poems may be handwritten or typed (double-spaced if typed) and must be the original work of the student.
- Only one entry is allowed from each student for placement in the contest.
- Poems written in a language other than English must have a translation attached.
- No illustrations or decorations should adorn the paper.
- Poems may be written in a traditional format (incorporating a rhyme scheme and stanzas), free verse, or blank verse and will be judged on style, creativity, originality, figurative language, and appropriateness of content.
- The poem must be postmarked or e-mailed by January 17, 2026.
- Please indicate clearly that you are entering the Alpine contest, rather than the Bastrop contest.
Each poem must have the following information printed legibly on the BACK of each page or typed within the email containing the poem:
- Student's Name
- Parent's Name, Contact Phone Number, & E-mail Address
- School or Homeschool
- School Grade Level & Contest Level
- City, State/Province, Country
Please mail submissions to:
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering
P. O. Box 1076
Alpine, TX 79831
Or email to submissions to:
youthcontest @ lonestarcowboypoetry.com
(no spaces in address)
Submissions can also be dropped off at the Jeff Davis, Alpine, or Marfa libraries.
Questions? Please contact Elizabeth Baize at the email address above.